UOP killer up for parole after 27 years in prison

Sunday

Nov 5, 2006 at 12:01 AM

STOCKTON - Steven Burns will be up for parole Wednesday, after spending 27 years in prison for the 1979 murder of his high school girlfriend, Catina Rose Salarno. While Burns' supporters believe the inmate has served more than his fair sentence, Burns can expect plenty of opposition from Salarno's family, propelled by the murder into a life of political activism fighting for the rights of crime victims.

Scott Smith

STOCKTON - Catina Rose Salarno left her San Francisco home in 1979 with dreams of studying at Stockton's University of the Pacific to become a dentist, plans that did not include her high school boyfriend, Steven John Burns.

On the eve of her first day of classes, the two met on a dark corner of Pacific's campus, where Burns pulled a gun and fired a bullet into the back of Salarno's head. They were both 18 at the time.

Burns, now 45, earned a state prison sentence of 17 years to life for a second-degree murder conviction in Salarno's death.

Imprisoned for 27 years so far, Burns will face a parole hearing Wednesday at Pleasant Valley State Prison in Coalinga, where a board will decide if he is ready to walk free. It is the seventh such hearing since he was first denied parole in 1990.

While Burns' supporters believe the inmate has served more than his fair sentence, Burns can expect plenty of opposition from Salarno's family, propelled by the murder into a life of political activism fighting for the rights of crime victims.

"Yes, I want to keep Steven Burns in prison as long as possible," said Harriet Salarno, Catina's mother. "He's dangerous no matter what age he is."

Harriet Salarno said in an interview last week that she believes some convicted inmates can change. But she described Burns as a sociopath who stole a gun from her husband and stalked her daughter - following her to Stockton to commit murder. To Harriet Salarno, Burns is not an inmate capable of change.

Before Burns murdered their daughter, betraying them, the Salarno family embraced the boy who lived across the street, she said.

Mike Salarno, Catina's father, was Burns' godfather. A good student and high school football star, Burns worked in the Salarnos' television shop. Catina Salarno and Burns, who attended different high schools, dated for a couple of years.

Harriet Salarno said she feels guilt to this day for failing to notice ominous signs.

Catina Salarno had tried to break up with Burns shortly before leaving for college, drawing death threats from Burns. Expected to attend Santa Clara University, Burns shocked the Salarnos when he showed up in Stockton, where he had secretly enrolled at Pacific.

On Labor Day, the eve of classes, the pair met to talk near Long Theater. Burns shot her and returned to his dorm room to watch "Monday Night Football," while Catina Salarno slowly bled to death outside.

In the aftermath, Harriet and Michael Salarno formed Crime Victims United of California, an organization that provides support groups for crime victims and lobbies state legislators for stiffer criminal laws.

Harriet Salarno in recent weeks has appeared on televised advertisements promoting passage of Proposition 83, Jessica's Law, an initiative on the ballot Tuesday that would bring stiffer penalties for convicted child molesters.

Despite their efforts, more inmates have been released on parole under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger than under former Gov. Gray Davis. Burns' chances remain minuscule, said Oakland attorney Keith Wattley for the prisoners rights organization Uncommon Law.

About 5,000 inmates each year go to parole hearings, but only about 4 percent to 6 percent are found suitable for release. Schwarzenegger denies parole for 85 percent to 90 percent of those, Wattley said.

Wattley, who is familiar with Burns' case, said the parole board is weighed with heavy-handed law enforcement officials and continues to arbitrarily deny release. The board ignores the law, which dictates objectivity, defying "reason and logic," he said.

San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Robert Himelblau said he seriously doubts Burns has transformed. In prison, Burns has continued the same obsessive behavior that led to the Pacific student's death, Himelblau said.

Before a 1998 parole hearing, Burns had sent something appearing to be semen through the mail to an inmate with whom he had a sexual relationship, according to a 3rd District Court of Appeal filing.

He also sent 23 unwanted letters to Michael Salarno, asking to meet him, Himelblau said. Burns has told 13 different versions of the night Catina Salarno died, proving he has never taken responsibility for the crime, Himelblau said.

"He's not going to rob you at an ATM," said Himelblau, who will oppose Burns' release in Wednesday's hearing. "But he might kill your daughter because she won't date him."

San Francisco attorney Gilbert Eisenberg, who represented Burns in his 1980 murder trial, said he fears the Salarnos and Crime Victims United unfairly bring more political connections than Burns or any inmate could ever muster.

"What does it mean?" said Eisenberg, who has not watched recent developments in Burns' case. "Whoever can generate the most hoopla can keep people in prison longer."

Catina Salarno's death continues to bring sadness for Eisenberg after all these years, he said. The Salarno and Burns families have both endured tragedy, Eisenberg said.

Not every family that has suffered such a tragedy harbors a vengeful attitude, Eisenberg said.

"I don't know how I would feel," he said. "I'd hope I could feel differently."